Ten Actions Related to Sin

Ten Actions Related to Sin

Christ is the central theme throughout the Bible. Why? Because of His love for us and our problem with sin. Listed below are ten important actions you can take regarding the sin in your life.


1. Acknowledge
Acknowledge that the Bible is God’s Word and that it speaks clearly about sin.

• 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
• Because of His love for us, with the Bible God has told us about sin and how to deal with it in our lives.

2. Agree
Agree with what God says about sin.

• James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
• Sin is both rebellion against God and the inability of man to perfectly or permanently keep His commandments. For those who don’t know Christ as Savior, sin leads to spiritual death. For those who have surrendered their life to Christ, sin causes problems in their relationship with God.

3. Admit
Admit that you are a sinner.

• Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
• Because of Adam’s sin, every person is born with a sin nature. Everybody sins!

4. Apologize
Apologize to God for your sin.

• Luke 18:13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
• When we recognize that we have offended God because of our sin, we must humbly and sincerely ask for His forgiveness and mercy.

5. Accept
Accept God’s forgiveness of your sin.

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• God is faithful to His promise to forgive the sins of those who humbly and sincerely ask Him. However, the consequences resulting from your sin may still have to be dealt with.

6. Abandon
Abandon the sin in your life.

• Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
• To repent means to turn from your sin and turn towards God. Turn your back on sin and run to God.

7. Abhor
Abhor all sin and its consequences.

• Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
• God hates sin. We should also hate sin. However, we don’t hate a person who sins. We are commanded to show the love of Christ to everyone. No one is sinless; but Christians should sin less and less as they mature in their relationship with God.

8. Abide
Abide in Christ and live for Him.

• John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
• Living in Christ will lead to a God honoring life; pray, read God’s Word, attend church, serve those in need, share the truth about Christ, submit to The Holy Spirit, cultivate Christian relationships, etc.

9. Adore
Adore your life as a forgiven (not sinless) child of God.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
• Because of Christ’s sinless life and sacrifice for our sins, those who surrender to His Lordship are righteous before God. However, no one will live a completely sinless life until they are in heaven.

10. Advocate
Advocate for the gospel message.

• Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
• Because of what God has done about sin through Christ, those who have been forgiven of their sins must share the good news of redemption in Christ with those who have not heard or believed.

This devotion just barely scratches the surface of the topic of sin. My prayer is that God’s Word and His Spirit will draw you closer to Him by stimulating your curiosity about this subject. Ask for God to speak to your heart about His love and your sin.


Prayer

Dear Lord, please forgive me for the sin in my life. I know I still fall very short in so many areas. Please use Your Word and the power of Your Holy Spirit to convict the heart of anyone reading this devotion to deal with You, one-on-one, regarding the sin in their life. Please save the lost and sanctify the saved. Thank You for sending Christ to deal with sin once and for all. I love you Lord. I praise You in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

  

Blessed to Bless

Blessed to Bless

One of the consistent messages from the Bible is, God blesses some so that others may be blessed.

Abraham was blessed so that all the families of the world would be blessed:

• Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

King David was blessed so the Nation of Israel would be blessed:

• 1 Chronicles 14:2 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

Here are some examples of how God blesses:

Material/Financial Support

• Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
• As we are blessed financially, we must wisely share with those in need (see Matthew 10:16).

Consolation

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
• God may allow you to go through a serious trial and then bless and sustain you through it so you will be equipped to help someone else through a similar situation.

Forgiveness

• Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
• Christ set the ultimate example of forgiveness. We must pass this blessing on to others (whether we think they deserve it or not – we certainly didn’t)!

Reconciliation with God

• 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
• The greatest blessing of all, salvation in Jesus Christ, was given to each of us by God. Now, as His ambassadors, we can share this eternal blessing with others.

How has God blessed you? How can you pass your blessings along to those who need them?


We have been Blessed to Bless others; but in the process, we receive even greater blessings.

• Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Prayer

Loving, gracious Father, thank You for the countless blessings in my life. I especially thank You for my eternal salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I pray that through Your Holy Spirit You will convict my soul to share my blessings with others. Please forgive me when and where I fall short in this area.  Help Your children live a life that will attract those who are truly in need. Empower Your children to show the love of Christ when You present the opportunity to do so; especially sharing the gospel message of salvation. I pray all these things in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.